What Resources can I use Which are no Charge to Me for My Legal Separation, Divorce or Paternity Case in San Diego?

There are many resources for San Diego County spouses or parents in their legal separation, divorce or paternity case which are no charge. Below is a partial list however there are others and the internet link is provided as another resource for information gathering.

The Family Law Facilitator's Office is available to help unrepresented parents and parties who need assistance with a family law case in San Diego Superior Court whether a paternity, legal separation or divorce. The Facilitator’s Office can assist you in preparing court forms and also can give you general legal information. The Family Law Facilitator's Office has a full time staff of court attorneys, paralegals, and clerks with experience in family law. There is a Family Law Facilitator Office in almost all of the Family Law Court Houses in San Diego including Vista, Chula Vista, El Cajon and downtown San Diego in the main family law court house however not in the Madge Bradley Court House. The Family Law Facilitator's Office does not help parents or parties who are represented by a lawyer. The attorneys at the Family Law Facilitator's Office are not your attorney. The attorneys are neutral court employees who do not represent any party or parent and may provide services and information to all parties in the case. The Family Law Facilitator’s Mission: The Family Law Facilitator's Office is dedicated to helping self-represented litigants better understand family law procedures, increase their access to the family law courts, and obtain a quicker resolution of their family law matters.

The San Diego County Law Library is a resource which is free and open to the public. There are three branches of the Law Library in San Diego County. Two of the branches are in the court houses themselves in Chula Vista and in El Cajon. The downtown Law Library is not in the family law court house or the Madge Bradley court house and is on Front Street. Their hours are easy determined from their website and a link is included below as an additional resource. You can obtain information specific to many areas of family law including the California Family Law Code.

http://sandiegolawlibrary.org/

Another great resource is the San Diego County Official Website. Again, a link is provided below as an additional resource. There is a section for family law and this is very useful and also has updated and accurate information. There is a family law “tab” which has information on the following subjects: divorce; paternity; custody; visitation; domestic violence; restraining orders; self help services; frequently asked questions; forms; calendar for family law court and hearings; fees; family law rules; legal information and appeals.

http://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/

There are other resources which are available but for a cost. For example, an experienced family law attorney who has practiced in San Diego Superior Court for many years in the family law departments can give a free in-person or virtual consultation and also provide a legal analysis of your individual issues such as support [both spousal and child] as well as the division of assets and debts and also for the parenting plan. Specific strategies and techniques can be discussed so you can make the most informed and intelligent decision regarding this most important aspect of your life now and in the future. There are other resources for cost as well.

If you are involved as a spouse or parent in a family law case, feel free to contact Doppelt and Forney, APLC for a confidential consultation with a licensed California attorney. A legal analysis will be given during this consultation which can also include providing a realistic expectation of the child support, again for example, per the state guideline using a computer program called the Disso Master. Feel free to call today for your free in-person or virtual consultation.